Event announcement

HRT Meet Up 4: Between a Ripple and a Revolution

HRT Meetup 4: Somewhere Between a Ripple and a Revolution
Sunday, May 31, 2026 – LocHal, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
13:00–16:00 | Free entry (but donations are welcome)!

Human Rights Tattoo is  hosting for the 4th time, a Meetup at the LocHal in Tilburg. This gathering brings together stories from the international HRT community and the local region, and shows how small, personal actions can be meaningful in a world that sometimes feels overwhelming. In a series of short six-minute presentations, community members share their stories, projects and initiatives related to human rights. The focus is on connection, practical perspectives for action, and breaking through feelings of powerlessness.Highlighted in this edition:Sameena van der Mijden
Just 14 hours before her departure, Sameena, a victim of a ‘loverboy’ scam, is running 2,000 kilometres to Romania to raise awareness around human trafficking. This Human Rights Tattoo member and ultra-runner, is pushing physical and mental boundaries to raise awareness of human rights. On June 1st, the day after this Meetup, she will begin her impressive Run to Romania: an ultra-run of over 2,000 kilometres. Whilst for many a marathon is a lifelong goal, Sameena will be running two marathons a day for a month. Under the title Run to Romania, she is following a well-known human trafficking route — but in the opposite direction.

“I aim to run 80 to 90 kilometres every day. For a month. Taking longer is not an option; I only have four weeks’ holiday.”

Her mission is personal. As a young woman, Sameena fell victim to a ‘loverboy’. That experience changed her life profoundly and now drives her campaign against human trafficking and sexual abuse. Her story shows how someone is literally trying to make a difference, step by step. During her journey, Sameena is also making a documentary. With two cameras in her luggage, she is raising the bar for this challenge even higher.

Tika Stardust
Will talk about the right to intimacy, care and human dignity. Tika Stardust challenges taboos surrounding intimacy and sexual care. As a social-erotic service provider and author, she fights tirelessly against the stigma surrounding sexuality within the care sector. Known for her TEDx talk and the book *A Piece of Love*, Stardust advocates for sexual inclusion, particularly for people with disabilities. In her view, being seen and touched is not a luxury, but a fundamental human need. “It’s not just about sex, but about the recognition that you matter.” A candid conversation about vulnerability, strength and her mission to make both the care sector and society more humane.

Other speakers this edition:

  • Sebastiaan Siegerink. What does it actually mean to be ‘ordinary’ in love? Sebastiaan is 31 and has been in a relationship for eight years with two partners aged 70 and 75. A personal story about love, openness and questioning what we consider to be normal.
  • Marc Westendorp. Lawyer, former solicitor and specialist in the law of war, and a former victim of bullying at school. On how human rights, on both a small and a large scale, ultimately boil down to the same thing.
  • Saskia Peeters. Saskia is programme coordinator at Shelter City Tilburg. She talks about how Shelter City Tilburg protects human rights defenders at risk. And offers an insight into safety, solidarity and the stories behind temporary shelter.

Also on the program
Premiere of a short documentary about Pareena Limbu, a portrait of a Nepali feminist and human rights activist who works in Nepal at the intersection of drug policy, HIV, sexual and reproductive health rights, gender-based violence and justice. Herself a survivor of violence and someone who has conquered mental health issues, she is turning societal view into better understanding and acceptance.

Poetry workshop by BOOTS:

During this interactive poetry workshop, BOOTS invites visitors to reflect on human rights in a personal and creative way. Using themes such as freedom, safety, love and home, participants write short sentences, thoughts or mini-poems. Simple questions such as “Which human right are you missing today?” create space for reflection, conversation and imagination. An accessible workshop in which poetry is used as a way to make feelings, experiences and human rights tangible.

Memory by Speak UP:

During this interactive workshop by Speak Up, participants engage in conversation with one another using a special memory game centred on prejudice and inclusion. By pairing cards featuring prejudices with positive counterparts, space is created for reflection, recognition and dialogue. An accessible and playful workshop that invites participants to reflect on assumptions — and discover new perspectives together.

Event announcement

HRT Meet Up 4: Between a Ripple and a Revolution

HRT Meetup 4: Somewhere Between a Ripple and a Revolution
Sunday, May 31, 2026 – LocHal, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
13:00–16:00 | Free entry (but donations are welcome)!

Human Rights Tattoo is  hosting for the 4th time, a Meetup at the LocHal in Tilburg. This gathering brings together stories from the international HRT community and the local region, and shows how small, personal actions can be meaningful in a world that sometimes feels overwhelming. In a series of short six-minute presentations, community members share their stories, projects and initiatives related to human rights. The focus is on connection, practical perspectives for action, and breaking through feelings of powerlessness.

Highlighted in this edition:

Sameena van der Mijden
Just 14 hours before her departure, Sameena, a victim of a ‘loverboy’ scam, is running 2,000 kilometres to Romania to raise awareness around human trafficking. This Human Rights Tattoo member and ultra-runner, is pushing physical and mental boundaries to raise awareness of human rights. On June 1st, the day after this Meetup, she will begin her impressive Run to Romania: an ultra-run of over 2,000 kilometres. Whilst for many a marathon is a lifelong goal, Sameena will be running two marathons a day for a month. Under the title Run to Romania, she is following a well-known human trafficking route — but in the opposite direction.

“I aim to run 80 to 90 kilometres every day. For a month. Taking longer is not an option; I only have four weeks’ holiday.”

Her mission is personal. As a young woman, Sameena fell victim to a ‘loverboy’. That experience changed her life profoundly and now drives her campaign against human trafficking and sexual abuse. Her story shows how someone is literally trying to make a difference, step by step. During her journey, Sameena is also making a documentary. With two cameras in her luggage, she is raising the bar for this challenge even higher.

Tika Stardust
Will talk about the right to intimacy, care and human dignity. Tika Stardust challenges taboos surrounding intimacy and sexual care. As a social-erotic service provider and author, she fights tirelessly against the stigma surrounding sexuality within the care sector. Known for her TEDx talk and the book *A Piece of Love*, Stardust advocates for sexual inclusion, particularly for people with disabilities. In her view, being seen and touched is not a luxury, but a fundamental human need. “It’s not just about sex, but about the recognition that you matter.” A candid conversation about vulnerability, strength and her mission to make both the care sector and society more humane.

Other speakers this edition:

  • Sebastiaan Siegerink. What does it actually mean to be ‘ordinary’ in love? Sebastiaan is 31 and has been in a relationship for eight years with two partners aged 70 and 75. A personal story about love, openness and questioning what we consider to be normal.
  • Marc Westendorp. Lawyer, former solicitor and specialist in the law of war, and a former victim of bullying at school. On how human rights, on both a small and a large scale, ultimately boil down to the same thing.
  • Saskia Peeters. Saskia is programme coordinator at Shelter City Tilburg. She talks about how Shelter City Tilburg protects human rights defenders at risk. And offers an insight into safety, solidarity and the stories behind temporary shelter.

Also on the program

Premiere of a short documentary about Pareena Limbu, a portrait of a Nepali feminist and human rights activist who works in Nepal at the intersection of drug policy, HIV, sexual and reproductive health rights, gender-based violence and justice. Herself a survivor of violence and someone who has conquered mental health issues, she is turning societal view into better understanding and acceptance.

Poetry workshop by BOOTS:

During this interactive poetry workshop, BOOTS invites visitors to reflect on human rights in a personal and creative way. Using themes such as freedom, safety, love and home, participants write short sentences, thoughts or mini-poems. Simple questions such as “Which human right are you missing today?” create space for reflection, conversation and imagination. An accessible workshop in which poetry is used as a way to make feelings, experiences and human rights tangible.

Memory by Speak UP:

During this interactive workshop by Speak Up, participants engage in conversation with one another using a special memory game centred on prejudice and inclusion. By pairing cards featuring prejudices with positive counterparts, space is created for reflection, recognition and dialogue. An accessible and playful workshop that invites participants to reflect on assumptions — and discover new perspectives together.